Carisoprodol
is a muscle relaxant. It works
by blocking nerve impulses (or
pain sensations) that are sent
to your brain. Codeine is a pain
reliever. Codeine is in a class
of drugs called narcotic analgesics
and it works by changing the way
your body feels pain. Carisoprodol
is used, along with rest and physical
therapy, to treat injuries and
other painful muscular conditions.
Aspirin / Carisoprodol may also
be used for purposes other than
those listed here.
Carisoprodol Directions?
Take Carisoprodol exactly
as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take
each dose with a full glass of water. The
maximum amount of Carisoprodol you should
take in one day is 1,400 mg (4 tablets).
Carisoprodol Side
Effects?
If you experience any
of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Carisoprodol and seek emergency medical
attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling
of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
paralysis (loss of feeling) or extreme weakness;
vision loss; agitation or tremor; red, black,
or bloody stools; or blood in your vomit.
Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to
take Carisoprodol and talk to your doctor
if you experience: drowsiness or dizziness;
headache; depression; blurred vision or
small pupils; insomnia; hiccups; faint ringing
in the ears; or nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
Side effects other than those listed here
may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
Carisoprodol Warnings?
Do not take Carisoprodol
if you have acute intermittent porphyria.
Codeine is habit forming and should only be
used under close supervision if you have an
alcohol or drug addiction. Before taking this
medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney
disease, liver disease, an ulcer in your stomach
or intestines, a bleeding or blood-clotting
disorder, urinary retention, an enlarged prostate,
hypothyroidism, a head injury, or Addison's
disease. You may not be able to take Carisoprodol,
or you may require a lower dose or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above. Do not take
aspirin and Carisoprodol without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant. Do not
take aspirin and Carisoprodol without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding
a baby. Carisoprodol is not approved for use
in children younger than 12 years of age.
Carisoprodol Drug
Interactions?
Many drugs can increase
the effects of Carisoprodol and lead to heavy
sedation. Before taking this medication, tell
your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines: antihistamines such as brompheniramine
(Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), azatadine
(Optimine), clemastine (Tavist), and many
others; narcotics (pain killers) such as meperidine
(Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others),
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone
(Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan),
fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal,
Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others); sedatives such
as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital
(Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal); phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine
(Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine
(Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine),
thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine
(Stelazine); or antidepressants such as doxepin
(Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline
(Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine
(Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), phenelzine (Nardil),
and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Aspirin will
decrease the effects of some drugs. Tell your
doctor and pharmacist that you are taking
Carisoprodol if any of the following drugs
have been prescribed for you: probenecid (Benebid)
and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); angiotensin-converting-enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors used to treat high blood
pressure and other heart conditions such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten),
and enalapril (Vasotec); other commonly used
ACE inhibitors, including fosinopril (Monopril),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril
(Altace); and beta-blockers used to treat
high blood pressure and other heart conditions
such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin),
and carteolol (Cartrol). Other over-the-counter
and prescription drugs may increase the effects
of aspirin and cause dangerous side effects:
• oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, others),
ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), and naproxen
(Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve) • other commonly
used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren,
Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon),
flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac
(Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin); • other
salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate
(Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium
salicylate; • bismuth subsalicylate in drugs
such as Pepto-Bismol; and • calcium supplements
and antacids. Other drugs that should not
be combined with aspirin and Carisoprodol
include• steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone),
oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide
(Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta),
alcohol, lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others),
and cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Drugs other
than those listed here may also interact with
Carisoprodol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Carisoprodol Missed
Dose?
If you miss a dose,
take as soon as remembered; do not take if
it is almost time for the next dose, instead,
skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose
to catch up.
Carisoprodol Storage?
Store at room temperature
away from sunlight and moisture.
Anything Else I Should
Know About Carisoprodol?
Carisoprodol is a muscle
relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses
(or pain sensations) that are sent to your
brain. Carisoprodol is used, along with rest
and physical therapy, to treat injuries and
other painful muscular conditions.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
